The numbers-crunching I did yesterday confirmed my suspicions: MSU is getting fewer innings out of its starting pitching than any other SEC team: 3.89 innings per SEC start. That’s a good ways behind 11th-place Auburn (4.51).

If you picked up a hard copy of today’s Journal, you should see an accompanying chart. If you haven’t seen it, then here it is: How the SEC teams rank in innings pitched by weekend starters (total innings, innings per game).

1. Vanderbilt: 131 2/3 IP, 6.27 IP/game

2. Georgia: 130 IP, 6.19 IP/game

3. Alabama: 128 IP, 6.10 IP/game

4. Florida: 124 1/3 IP, 5.92 IP/game

5. South Carolina: 123 2/3 IP, 5.89 IP/game

6. LSU: 123 IP, 5.86 IP/game

7. Kentucky: 116 2/3 IP, 5.56 IP/game

8. Ole Miss: 116 1/3 IP, 5.54 IP/game

9. Tennessee: 96 1/3 IP, 4.59 IP/game

10. Arkansas: 95 1/3 IP, 4.54 IP/game

11. Auburn: 94 2/3 IP, 4.51 IP/game

12. Mississippi State: 81 2/3 IP, 3.89 IP/game

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As I point out in the story, only twice has an MSU weekend starter lasted seven innings or longer, and on both occasions it was Chris Stratton. Here’s another stat for you: MSU is one of three teams without a complete game from one of its weekend guys, the other two being Arkansas and South Carolina.